Piastri loses three grid places for impeding Lawson

Oscar Piastri set the third-fastest qualifying time but will start sixth after receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Liam Lawson in Q2. The McLaren driver let Verstappen through approaching the first chicane, then ended up on the racing line as Lawson arrived on a fast lap. The stewards noted the incident immediately and issued the penalty after the session.

The sanction follows an already difficult qualifying session for McLaren. Both Piastri and Norris struggled under braking, and Norris only set the ninth-fastest time. He will start eighth after other penalties are applied. Norris had already said on Friday that McLaren did not naturally look quick enough to fight for pole at Monza.

That one-lap weakness contrasts with more encouraging long-run pace. McLaren must now exploit it from the middle of the top 10, with Ferrari, Verstappen and Russell already ahead.